The European Union proposes investing €16 billion in the period 2021-2027 to further enhance Europe's leadership in space. This new space programme, with a budget 50% higher than that of the previous 7 year period, will reinforce the EU as a world space player successfully competing with both other state and private-sector space actors.

The EU's Earth observation programme Copernicus, yesterday launched a new satellite (Sentinel-3B) to improve our understanding of sea level changes, marine pollution and biological productivity. It will also provide information on the spread of wildfires, land use, the state of vegetation, and water levels in lakes and rivers.